JPH10232949A - Processor and method for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the processor and method for image processing which generate an output image of high picture quality through variable power processing corresponding to the resolution of an image. SOLUTION: An image of specific resolution is inputted (S101) and displayed (S102), and some area in the displayed image is specified (S104). In steps S107 to S110, the image of the specified area is varied in power to specific size and outputted, and it is decided whether or not the power variation ratio exceeds limit side at the time of the power variation (S105); and it is warned that the limit size is exceeded in such a case.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and method for outputting an image cut out from an input image to a predetermined size.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a process of cutting out a part of an image from an original image input from an image input device having a predetermined resolution and outputting the image in a predetermined size, image enlargement and reduction processes are essential. When performing image enlargement / reduction processing, it is necessary to consider a scaling factor between the size of the clipped image and the output size in order to maintain the image quality of the processed image.

[0003] Even with general image editing software, it is possible to select a part of the input image, scale it, and output it, but any small area can be cut out, and There is no limit.

In order to eliminate the redundancy of work, first, a rough image of an image read by an input device is displayed on an edit screen, a small area is designated on the edit screen, and the designated area is designated. A method of displaying and editing a high-definition image corresponding to and outputting an image based on the edited content is disclosed in US Pat.
No. 185,662.

[0005]

However, the above technique has the following problems. That is, since the editing operation including the scaling process can be freely performed on the editing screen regardless of the scaling ratio, enlargement or reduction is performed ignoring the resolution of the original image, and as a result, the image quality of the output image is deteriorated. There is a problem.

Further, US Pat. No. 5,185,662 discloses a configuration in which an editing area is designated by a displayed coarse image, a desired fine image is obtained, and image editing is performed in order to reduce the load when editing a fine image. Although it discloses, it always displays an image of a fixed resolution as a fine image, and does not disclose selecting the resolution of the fine image to be displayed. Further, the document does not disclose a configuration for cutting out an image in consideration of a magnification. Therefore, this patent does not suggest that the quality of an output image be managed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of obtaining a high-quality output image by scaling processing according to the resolution of the image. And

[0008]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0009] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: input means for inputting an image having a predetermined resolution; display means for displaying the image input by the input means; and a part of the image displayed on the display means. Designating means for designating an area, output means for scaling the image of the area designated by the designating means and outputting it as an image of a predetermined size, and a scaling ratio when the output means performs scaling. When the value is equal to or more than the value, a warning means for warning that effect is provided.

[0010] Further, input means for inputting an image of a predetermined resolution, display means for displaying the image input by the input means, and designation means for designating a partial area of the image displayed on the display means An output unit that scales the image of the area designated by the designation unit and outputs the image as a predetermined size, and a scaling ratio when the scaling unit performs scaling is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Limiting means for limiting the size of the area specified by the specifying means.

In the image processing method according to the present invention, an image having a predetermined resolution is input, the input image is displayed, a partial area of the display image is specified, and the image of the specified area is scaled. An image of a predetermined size is output, and when the zoom ratio at the time of performing the zooming is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a warning to that effect is issued.

An image having a predetermined resolution is input, the input image is displayed, and a partial area of the display image is specified.
The image of the specified area is scaled and output as an image of a predetermined size, and the size of the area specified by the specifying unit is limited so that the scaling factor when performing the scaling is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. It is characterized by the following.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Overview] First, a part of an image input from an image input device is designated as a cut-out area, and a background of image quality management to be considered when combining a cut-out image with a previously prepared image and outputting the combined image. And the relationship between input and output image resolution will be briefly described. Here, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the size at which the clipped image is output is predetermined to a predetermined size.

In general, the relationship between the input / output resolution and the vertical or horizontal size is represented by the following equation. Input size (inch) x input resolution (dpi) x magnification = output size (inch) x output resolution (dpi)

When a certain portion of an input image is cut out and output with a predetermined size, the cut-out image needs to be enlarged when the number of input pixels is smaller than the number of output pixels. In general, it is known that when the enlargement ratio exceeds 2, deterioration of an output image starts to be noticeable. Therefore, in order to maintain the image quality of the output image, the magnification must be limited to 2 or less.

On the other hand, the input resolution of the image input device is displayed.
Shown in 1. Depending on the image input device, a plurality of input resolutions can be selected. In this case, irrespective of the cutout size or the size after enlargement for output, if the output is always performed based on the image data of the highest resolution, redundant image data that maintains the predetermined image quality will be used. However, there is a problem that the load of the enlargement processing increases and the processing speed decreases.

[0018]

[Table 1] Therefore, in the present invention, the image quality of the output image is maintained by limiting the enlargement ratio of the cut image to the output size to 2 or less.

Further, when an image is cut out from a plurality of input images having different image resolutions and output at a predetermined output size, display is performed based on one of the plurality of resolutions. In other words, the display is performed by selecting the resolution whose magnification ratio between the number of pixels corresponding to the area designated as the cut-out image and the number of output pixels corresponding to the output size is within the predetermined magnification and closest to the predetermined magnification.

More specifically, the present invention provides a method for displaying a coarse image of an input image on a screen, specifying a cutout image, and then displaying and editing a fine image. The output size corresponding to varies depending on the resolution of the fine image to be read '', and when multiple input resolutions can be selected, the enlargement ratio is 2 or less according to the size of the area specified on the screen By setting the resolution having the highest magnification as the input resolution, the image quality of the output image is maintained and redundant enlargement processing is avoided.

The outline of the present invention when the input medium is a photo CD will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the photo CD has three reading resolutions, Base and 4Bas, respectively.
Called e and 16Base.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are diagrams showing the relationship between input / output and screen display when a photo CD is used as an input medium.

Reference numeral 101 indicates a limit area for Base.
Since the enlargement ratio exceeds 2 below the limit area 101, no enlargement is performed. Similarly, reference numeral 102 indicates a limit region for 4Base, and reference numeral 103 indicates a limit region for 16Base. Reference numeral 104 indicates a predetermined output size.

Reference numeral 105 in FIG. 1C indicates that the resolution of the image to be read varies depending on the size of the region when the cutout region is determined on the screen.

First, a coarse image is displayed based on the image data input from the photo CD. A cutout area is selected on the rough image. Then, this selection area is the limit area 101
If it is larger, that is, within the limit area of Base, the input resolution is designated as Base, and if the selected area is smaller than the limit area 101 and larger than the limit area 102, 4Base is designated as the input resolution. If the selected area is the limit area 102 and the limit area 103
If it is smaller than any of the above, it is determined that none of the limit areas is satisfied, and if the image is enlarged to the output size, the image quality is deteriorated.

As a result, the enlargement ratio of the cut-out area to the output size is always kept at 2 or less, the quality of the output image can be maintained, and the optimum resolution can be selected from the three resolutions of the photo CD. That is, redundant enlargement processing can be avoided.

[Configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image editing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, a CPU 206 controls the entire image editing apparatus, and uses a RAM 203 as a work memory in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 202 or a hard disk 201.
Various processes including an image process described later are executed. The hard disk 201 temporarily stores image information input from the image input device 204. The cut-out image is temporarily stored and read out in the RAM 203 in the process of image processing described later. Needless to say, a personal computer can be used instead of the CPU 206, the hard disk 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, and the like.

A film scanner, a digital camera, an image reader, or the like can be applied to the image input device 204. In the following description, an example of reading an image from a photo CD will be described. Corresponds to a CD-ROM drive.

The printer 205 is, for example, a multi-value color print having a resolution of 300 dpi, and prints out an image read from the image input device 204 or an image subjected to image synthesis. The mouse 207 is used, for example, for setting a cut-out area at the time of processing an image. The mouse 207 is not limited to a mouse, and may use an arbitrary pointing device or keyboard. The display 208 is, for example, a CRT or LCD monitor for displaying images and the progress of image processing to be described later.

[Processing] Here, an example will be described in which a face image of a person is cut out from an input image, pasted and synthesized on a design template image prepared in advance, and printed out.

FIG. 3 is an initial screen of the input image displayed on the display 208, in which a coarse image is displayed. In this screen, a cutout area is specified. That is, the operator specifies the region 301 of the image to be cut out with the mouse 207. Reference numerals 302 and 303 at the two vertices of the area 301 denote handles for adjusting the area 301 with the mouse 207. Reference numeral 304 indicates a mouse pointer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the area 301 is displayed in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5 is a template image prepared in advance. When a cut-out face image is pasted into the area indicated by reference numeral 501 in FIG. An image obtained by combining the cut-out image and the template image shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. The area of the region 501 is fixed in advance in consideration of the balance with the synthesis target.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the image processing according to the present invention, which is the processing executed by the CPU 206.

In step S101, image data is input from the image input device 204. More specifically, image data is read from the image input device 204, and the read image data is stored in the hard disk 201 as a data file.

In step S102, when the input medium is specified and the reading of the data file is specified, the image data of the coarse image is read from the file, and
Displayed in 8. This display state corresponds to FIG.

In step S103, the limit size of the cutout image is calculated based on the information of the input medium, the preset output resolution, and the output size of the cutout image. When the input medium is a photo CD, the input resolution for printing is Bas Bas.
e, 4Base and 16Base are assumed, so the limit size is calculated for each.

At step S104, the cut-out area set
The vertical and horizontal sizes and vertex coordinates of 301 are stored in the RAM 203.

In step S105, the size of the area 301 is compared with the limit size. If the area size 301 does not satisfy any of the limit sizes, a message indicating that the area 301 is invalid is displayed on the display 208, and the process proceeds to step S104. Return, and set the area 301 again. For example, the entry of the mouse pointer 304 may be prohibited so that the area 301 cannot be set in an area that cannot satisfy the limit size of any resolution.

In step S106, the resolution of the image to be read is determined based on the set area 301 and the limit size. In step S107, an image corresponding to the set area 301 is displayed on the screen at the resolution determined in step S106.
This display state corresponds to FIG.

In step S108, the operator performs editing work on the fine (enlarged) image displayed on the display 208. When the editing work is completed, the operator changes the template image (for example, FIG. 5) prepared in advance in step S109. And compose the edited image. This display state corresponds to FIG.

The composite image thus obtained is printed out in step S110.

In step S105, a warning may be issued only without invalidating the cutout area 301. Furthermore, by displaying the vertical / horizontal magnification, output size, and resolution of the fine image to be read set at any time on the display 208 from the size of the cutout area 301,
The operator can simultaneously perform image management in various editing processes.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the enlargement ratio at the time of enlarging the cut-out image to the output size can be maintained at a predetermined value or less (for example, twice or less) by the processing of step S106. Quality can be kept constant.

Further, when the same image having a plurality of resolutions can be obtained as in the case of inputting an image from a photo CD, an image having the optimum resolution according to the cut-out area is processed in step S107. Thus, necessary and sufficient image quality can be secured without performing redundant processing.

In the process of step S105, the entry of the mouse pointer 304 into the enlargement limit area is prohibited, so that the operator can easily understand that the enlargement limit has been reached, and the area can be specified accurately in a short time. Can be made.

[0047]

Second Embodiment Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment,
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image editing apparatus according to the second embodiment. By adding a buzzer 209 to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to notify that the area is not appropriate by a buzzer sound. .

That is, in step S105, the size of the area 301 is compared with the limit size. If the area size 301 does not satisfy any of the limit sizes, the process proceeds to step S201 shown in FIG.
Sound the buzzer 209 and issue a warning, then step S104
And the setting of the area 301 is redone.

[0050]

Third Embodiment Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment,
The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the cutout area 301 is set, if the settable area is displayed for each input resolution, the operator can set the area 301 correctly in a short time. Further, the operator can know the resolution of the fine image read on the editing screen on the operation screen for cutting out the area 301.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a screen display during the cutout operation. Broken lines indicated by reference numerals 1101 each indicate an enlargement limit of the area 1102 with respect to the input resolution.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the area expansion limit in detail. Reference numeral 1201 denotes the entire screen, reference numeral 1202 denotes a Base area expansion limit line, and an area smaller than the limit line 1202 cannot be read from the Base image. Reference numeral 1203 denotes a 4Base area expansion limit line, and an area smaller than the limit line 1203 cannot be read from a 4Base image.
Reference numeral 1204 denotes a 16Base area expansion limit line, and an area smaller than the limit line 1204 cannot be read from a 16Base image. Therefore, an area smaller than the area 1208 cannot be cut out.

Reference numeral 1205 denotes an area where a Base image is read as a fine image, reference numeral 1206 denotes an area where a 4Base image is read as a fine image, and reference numeral 1207 denotes an area where a 16Base image is read as a fine image. , Respectively.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the third embodiment, and shows a detailed example of step S104 of the processing shown in FIG.

That is, the center of the cutout area is designated by the mouse 207 in step S301. In step S302, a rectangle indicating the limit of the input resolution is displayed on the image of the display 208 with the designated point as the center. This display state corresponds to FIG. 10, but since it is assumed that the input medium is a photo CD, it is possible to set areas corresponding to three types of input resolutions. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Three rectangles indicating the limits are displayed. At the same time, a tracker 1102 indicating an area to be cut out is drawn with a predetermined vertical and horizontal dimension.

In step S303, when the track points 1103 at the four corners of the tracker 1102 are dragged with the mouse, the size of the cutout area can be changed. At this time, the tracker 1102 expands / contracts (deforms) with the center point fixed without changing the vertical / horizontal aspect ratio. Also,
When the mouse pointer is moved into the area of the tracker 1102 and dragged, the tracker 1102 and the limit area line can be moved (movement). That is, the region to be cut can be moved to an arbitrary position in the image.

The operator determines a range to be finally cut out by using these deformation and movement functions.

[0059]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. Each module shown will be stored in a storage medium. That is, the program codes of at least the modules of “image input”, “image display”, “cutout area designation”, “image output”, and “warning” or “area restriction” may be stored in the storage medium.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention,
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining an output image with high image quality by a scaling process according to an image resolution, and a method thereof.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining the image resolution of a photo CD;

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between input / output and screen display when a photo CD is used as an input medium;

FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between input / output and screen display when a photo CD is used as an input medium;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image editing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen of an input image displayed on a display;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state where a selection area is enlarged and displayed;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a template image prepared in advance;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by combining a cut-out image and a template image;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining image processing according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image editing device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining image processing according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display example during a cutout operation;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating details of an area expansion limit;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a third embodiment,

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a storage medium storing a program code according to the present invention.

Claims (9)

[Claims] An input unit configured to input an image having a predetermined resolution; a display unit configured to display an image input by the input unit; and a specification unit configured to specify a partial area of the image displayed on the display unit. The image of the area specified by the specifying means is scaled,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs an image of a predetermined size; and a warning unit that warns when the magnification ratio when the output unit performs a magnification is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 2. An input unit for inputting an image of a predetermined resolution, a display unit for displaying an image input by the input unit, and a specifying unit for specifying a partial area of the image displayed on the display unit The image of the area specified by the specifying means is scaled,
Output means for outputting an image of a predetermined size, and limiting means for limiting the size of an area designated by the designating means so that the magnification when the scaling means performs magnification is equal to or less than a prescribed value. An image processing apparatus comprising: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs image data including a plurality of image data of different resolutions. 4. The display means displays image data of a predetermined resolution among a plurality of image data of different resolutions contained in the image data input by the input means, and the output means comprises: Based on the size of the area designated by the formula and a scaling ratio for scaling the designated area to the predetermined size, one of the different resolutions is selected, and the resolution is selected based on the image data of the selected resolution. 4. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the image processing device outputs an image of a predetermined size. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specifying unit indicates, together with the image, a size of an area where a scaling ratio when the scaling unit performs scaling is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, based on the different resolution. 5. The image processing device according to claim 3 or 4. 6. An image having a predetermined resolution is input, the input image is displayed, a partial area of the display image is specified, an image of the specified area is scaled, and output as an image of a predetermined size. An image processing method, wherein when the zoom ratio at the time of performing the zooming is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a warning to that effect is issued. 7. An image having a predetermined resolution is input, the input image is displayed, a partial area of the display image is specified, an image of the specified area is scaled, and output as an image of a predetermined size. , So that the magnification when performing the magnification is equal to or less than a predetermined value,
An image processing method, wherein the size of an area specified by the specifying means is limited. 8. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for image processing, wherein: a code for inputting an image having a predetermined resolution; a code for displaying the input image; and a part of the display image A code of a step of designating an area, a code of a step of scaling the image of the designated area, and outputting as an image of a predetermined size; and Computer readable memory having a code for the step of alerting the user. 9. A computer-readable memory storing a program code for image processing, wherein a code for inputting an image having a predetermined resolution, a code for displaying the input image, and a part of the display image A code of a step of designating an area, a code of a step of scaling the image of the designated area, and outputting the image as a predetermined size, so that the scaling factor when performing the scaling is equal to or less than a predetermined value. ,
Computer-readable memory having a code for limiting a size of an area designated by the designation means.